Tulum with Kids: Travel Guide
Beach view from cabanas at La Zebra
The first time I visited Tulum over 15 years ago, it was still little-known outside the hardcore travel community, and full of yoga retreats and tiny eco-friendly beach hotels where you could stay for $50/night. Not only were there no clubs, but the power in almost every establishment on the beach was turned off nightly in an effort to conserve energy. Over the years, it’s popularity has grown as well as the development that frequently accompanies a location’s newfound glory. Tulum in recent years is used as a cautionary tale, and new up-and-coming locations are frequently described as “Tulum 20 years ago.” This is all to say, I was skeptical to return, especially with my two small children in tow. Would Tulum retain any of it’s original charm and beauty that I fell in love with so many years ago?
Having visited over New Year’s Week this year, I can safely say yes. Sure, the traffic on the beach road is bumper-to-bumper every afternoon, and you can find a plethora of European beach clubs blasting house music to an otherwise tranquil beach, but there are also better restaurants, more infrastructure, and perhaps best of all, no one was inflicted with the dreadful “Montezuma’s Revenge" that was so prevalent in my prior trips to Tulum. The beach is still one of the most beautiful in Mexico, and a wonderful laid-back vacation is still easily accessible in Tulum. Read on below for our recommendations for a fabulous Trip to Tulum.
Rooftop hangout area at La Zebra overlooking Tulum beach.
Where to Stay
Tulum can be separated into several different zones, including Tulum Pueblo (about 15 minutes drive from the beach), but Tulum to me is all about the beach, so our recommendations are all beachfront. Luckily, in Tulum beachfront means sand in your toes as soon as you walk out the door of your hotel room.
La Zebra- Probably the most kid-friendly hotel in Tulum, with a small playground and a plethora of beach toys. It’s also walkable to tons of great restaurants and on a beautiful stretch of beach that manages to be lively without a hint of the club scene that can be found a short walk north. There’s also a small rooftop pool for when you want a change of scenery from the turquoise oceans. You can find our full hotel review here.
Alaya Hotel- Also on a beautiful stretch of beach, this hotel caters to families with kids with family rooms with bunk beds.
The wood-fired grill at Hartwood Tulum.
Where to Eat
The food in Tulum has always been delicious, but in recent years some of the best chefs in Mexico and the world have opened restaurants here, making it a foodie destination. We took our kids to all of these restaurants, and while some don’t specifically cater to children, they were all incredibly welcoming and we saw other children there as well. Despite the elevated cuisine, all of these restaurants are open-air making them feel more casual and appropriate for kids of all ages.
ARCA: The best meal in recent memory. The food here is incredible. They tell you to plan on an hour and a half to finish your meal. The scallop crudo and shrimp dish are can’t-miss.
Hartwood: The OG of the elevated dining scene in Tulum, this restaurant cooks everything over an open fire.
Casa Banana: An Argentinian-style steak house that cooks an amazing steak. They also have a kids menu.
La Zebra Restaurant: Enjoy fresh seafood and tacos right on the beach at this hotel restaurant.
Lula’s Kitchen: Good pizza’s and other Italian fare in a beautiful location right on the beach.
La Negra Tomasa: If you venture into Tulum town, this is the place for great tacos and tostadas. Don’t miss the fried tuna tacos.
To Do
Cenote: No trip to Tulum would be complete without a visit to one of the many cenotes in the area. Our favorites are Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Cenote Jagaur and Cenote Caracol.
Sian Kaan Biosphere: Book a tour to take you around this beautiful national park filled with mangroves and the amazing wildlife that makes their home there. We saw manatees, crocodiles, and turtles during our boat ride.
Traveling with kids often means you’re up early enough to enjoy a sunrise stroll on the beach.